MIND READING OR THOUGHT IDENTIFICATION?

 

We are used to consider mind reading something that belongs to the world of fantasy. Something that only sorcerers and superheroes can use. But this is only partially true: over the last decade we have developed technologies that allow us to peer into people’s minds. Since “mind reading” sounds too fancy, scientists call this process "thought identification”.

 

How does it work? 

Thought identification is usually performed using two devices: an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scanner and a specifically-designed AI. MRI Scanners are a fairly common sight in hospitals, being used to identify unseen injuries or diseases. In this case, the Scanner is used to detect blood flow through certain parts of the brain. If the flow increases, than that part is being activated. This way we can effectively record brain activity.

During the process, first a person is placed inside the scanner, where various images are shown to them. These can be of literally anything, from trees to celebrities. The scanner records the person’s brain activity as they see these images. The data are then collected by the AI, which uses them to understand how the person’s brain reacts when they see those images.

Afterwards, if the person is asked to imagine something, the AI can recognize a familiar pattern in their brain activity and associate it with the images the person saw. This way, the AI can effectively tell what a person is thinking about. If the AI is paired with an imaging software, it can even produce visual representations of what the person is thinking about. Practically, it can give physical form to imagination.

Of course, this process works only if the AI has had enough time to understand the person’s brain patterns. It’s a very complex process that requires a lot of preparation and advanced technology, so calling it mind reading may be a stretch. But it’s a formidable procedure nonetheless.

 

What can it be used for? 

At the moment, thought identification has no practical application. It’s still a new experimental technique that needs to become more efficient and reliable before it can be used for something useful. And this will for sure take some time. But we can still speculate about its future applications. Why shouldn’t we?

It could be extremely useful in scientific research, especially in neuroscience. It could be used to study how memory and imagination work, allowing us to see how accurately we remember and imagine things. It could allow us to directly see how neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer, affect the brain, which will increase our understanding of them.

It could be used to record dreams, which could be used  both as a form of entertainment and as a way to better understand how they are created. It could revolutionize visual arts, making it extremely easier for artists to give form to what they imagine. It would make art much more accessible to everyone.

It could even be used in criminal justice, as a way to find out if a supposed criminal or a witness are telling the truth or not. However, this would certainly raise some moral and ethical questions about the legitimacy of spying someone’s thoughts. 

In the end, for now,  we can only speculate and imagine what the future will be like. And if we want to find out more about what awaits us, then we just have to wait and see.

Yuri, 5sc